A Big Consequence Is Coming From Chicago Bears Recent Surge

The Chicago Bears have become one of the coolest stories of the late NFL regular season. After a brutal 2-7 start to the year, they've gone 3-1 since, capped by a decision 28-13 drubbing of the division-leading Detroit Lions. Things are clicking in almost every area. Justin Fields is playing some of the most efficient football of his career. D.J. Moore is approaching career-high numbers. The offensive line is gelling. Yet the real story is the defense. After starting as arguably the worst in the league in September, two big changes have suddenly morphed it into one of the best. One was head coach Matt Eberflus taking over play calling, and the other was the arrival of defensive end Montez Sweat. They have turned the defense into one nobody wants to play.

The rapid development of several Bears draft picks is most encouraging through all of this. Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright, Gervon Dexter, and Tyrique Stevenson have all made substantial contributions over the past several weeks. It feels like the Bears are building towards something big. One more strong off-season could get them into the playoff mix. GM Ryan Poles has to feel good about where things are trending. However, there will likely be one significant consequence of these developments.

It further cements the likelihood that assistant GM Ian Cunningham will be gone this off-season.

The Chicago Bears knew a turnaround would come with a price.

Even before he arrived two years ago, Cunningham was considered one of the top young executives in the league. Everybody felt it was only a matter of time before he was running his own team. That almost happened this past off-season when he was a finalist for the Arizona and Tennessee jobs. The Titans went with Ran Carthon, while Cunningham turned down the Cardinals' offer to stay in Chicago. He likely didn't feel great about the ownership situation down there. Now, as the Bears morph into what looks like a competitive team, it is a virtual guarantee other organizations are taking notice.

There will be a handful of GM openings come January as teams shake up their front offices. Cunningham is widely considered one of the best candidates available. The Chicago Bears must prepare for the likelihood he will leave. Poles has said he always knew his time with Cunningham would be short. Clearly, the decision to bring him in any way was smart. Besides, the loss of the assistant GM won't be without compensation. As a minority hire, the Bears will receive two compensatory 3rd round picks from the league.

San Francisco got the same benefits for losing Carthon. They used one of those picks to move up in the 3rd round to snag safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who has two interceptions this season. Chicago could yield similar benefits.